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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported a “very constructive” phone conversation with Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s peace envoy, and Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law.
President Zelensky stated that discussions centered on ensuring Russia’s adherence to any potential agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing his “determined” approach to continued collaboration with the United States.
Ukrainian officials participated in the call from Miami, where they are currently engaged in the third day of talks pertaining to US-led efforts to broker a peace accord with Russia.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Moscow has not yet displayed any apparent concessions and continues to execute extensive bombardments within Ukraine.
“Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” Zelensky affirmed on X.
“We covered many aspects and went through key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full scale invasion.”
Overnight, Russia subjected Ukraine to additional aerial and missile strikes, prompting condemnation from Ukraine’s European Union allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed his “full solidarity” to Zelensky following a discussion between the two leaders, as stated in a social media post.
“France is determined to work with all partners to secure de-escalation measures and to impose a ceasefire,” Macron added.
Macron also confirmed his attendance at talks in London on Monday, joining Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The quartet is scheduled to discuss the ongoing dialogues between US and Ukrainian representatives, focused on reaching an agreement regarding guarantees for Ukraine’s post-war security.
A virtual meeting held two weeks prior saw the same leaders exploring the possibility of a European peacekeeping force deployment to Ukraine upon a ceasefire.
Sir Keir has consistently asserted that Ukraine must retain the right to determine its own future, emphasizing that the proposed peacekeeping force from the coalition of willing nations would play a “vital role” in safeguarding the country’s security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the notion of such a peacekeeping force, warning that any troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.”
Ukrainian authorities report that Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles on Friday night.
One strike impacted a railway hub in Fastiv, southwest of Kyiv, resulting in the destruction of the main station building and damage to rolling stock.
Ukraine’s energy ministry reported that Russian attacks had struck energy facilities across eight regions, resulting in widespread blackouts.
Russia claims its targets included military-industrial sites, as well as energy and port infrastructure.
US and Ukrainian negotiators have urged Russia to demonstrate a “serious commitment to long-term peace” after discussions in Moscow failed to yield a breakthrough.
Concurrently, talks are entering their third day in Florida, where Ukrainian and US officials are attempting to persuade Ukraine to accept a US-backed peace proposal.
In a statement released on Friday, Witkoff characterized two days of discussions with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s national security council, as “constructive.”
Witkoff and Umerov “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and “discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace,” according to their statement, although specific details were not provided.
The statement further indicated that the prospect of ending the war hinged on Russia’s willingness to take “steps towards de-escalation and cessation of killing.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has distanced himself from a follow-up attack on a suspected drug vessel.
The World Cup draw marked the first time that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has met Trump, and the trio briefly discussed trade.
Donald Trump’s controversial executive order to end birthright citizenship had been rejected by lower courts.
He is a “quiet guy” and told investigators he thought the 2020 election was “rigged”, US media reports say.
The Irish police force says it is investigating the matter after reports of drones near Dublin around the time the Ukrainian president landed.
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